Westland resident Debbie Dayton doesn't miss a beat or a step with Patrick at her side.

And Patrick, her Golden Retriever Leader Dog, seems to know he has some big responsibilities to fill. This is Dayton's second Leader Dog. Her first was Josh who died.

Patrick seems to know she is the center of his life.

Dayton, who lost her sight more than 10 years ago, realizes how easy it is to take sight for granted. She has diabetic retinopathy in one eye and a form of glaucoma in her right eye which led to her lost her independence.

"It's like looking through a dense fog," Dayton said. "With Patrick's help, I can move around with confidence."

Dayton was on hand at the Garden City Fire Department's Open House Oct. 11 to promote the Lion's Club.

Paiting dogs with people

The goal of Leader Dogs is to match dogs with people and the environment they live in. The organization takes into account rural versus city living needs.

Other breeds are also trained. The dogs, devoted to their people, adjust to such things as cats in the home.

Patrick has learned to guide Dayton at Westland Shopping Center. Ever since she tapped the first time on the entry glass at the Macy's store and told Patrick, "Macy's" he has guided her through the mall to that entrance.

Patrick helps Dayton be an equal opportunity shopper. She has told him, "This is Kohl's. This is Penney's"

His amazing talents have included helping Dayton locate her hotel room at conventions.

"I have one of my sighted friends show him one time where my room is," Dayton said.

When she tells Patrick to take her back to her room, he is able to lead her back from the parking lot or banquet room area.

"He walks right up to the room," Dayton said.

Patrick just needs the first instruction to "find the door" or "find my car," when her husband is waiting for her. They have become a team.

Valuable training

It's not unusual for individuals like Dayton to receive multiple Leader Dogs during their lifetimes and that can be costly. The estimated value of a Leader Dog in terms of training is about $40,000. A dog's working life is eight to 10 years depending on their health.

Training a Leader Dog takes about six months after they return from living for one year with a puppy raiser. One of the most important traits a dog must have is willingness to work plus a low distraction threshold. Dogs are taught to stop at every curb, avoid obstacles, pay attention to traffic and, if necessary, use intelligent disobedience if it's unsafe to cross the street.

Founded in 1939, Leader Dogs for the Blind has provided almost 14,000 dogs to visually impaired people.